Bridesmaid done up

If you’re requiring it, you pay. If it’s optional, they pay.

Exactly what Caytlyn said. If you are requiring it, you need to cover the costs. If it’s optional, you can tell them “I’m having hair and makeup done. If you want the services, they are $x. Please let me know by (date) if you want either so I can let the HMUA know!”

I’m not requiring for my BM to have makeup or hair done . For one they barely wear makeup , but since my wedding is on the beach it will be very minimal . As far as hair it’s just going to be in a bun and they can help each other. They’re totally okay with it and wouldn’t want me to spend extra money. I think all that should be splurged on the bride and have her really stand out. I believe they should pay for their own dress. But if you want them done up , then you should prob pay ( since it’s not necessary ) A lot of the “norms” are outdated now a days.

Most people say if it’s required then the bride pays but I am making my bridesmaids pay. To me I sent them all an email listing out and detailing things they would need to pay for in the beginning so they were aware. None of my bridesmaids have an issue paying for their makeup and they are all helping each other with hair (wearing it straight with a middle part).


Honestly I don’t think it’s a big deal to ask your bridesmaids even if you require it. My sister did the same thing for her wedding and not one of us complained.
Just try and search from artists and make it as affordable as possible for them.

I've never had my BM dress paid for you're really nice ! I told my bms this is how much hair and makeup costs if you want to get it done. Everyone agrees they want it done. Once you agree to be a bridesmaid you know you're gonna be spending money so hopefully they prepared

That’s very generous that you paid for their dresses!


If you don’t want to pay for HAMU, then you can’t require it to be done professionally. You can, however, offer the service to them and tell them how much it would cost if they want to get anything done. I think that’s the best way you could go about bringing it up to them!

If your offering to be for them it’s good but all my bridesmaid are paying for both of their dresses and the only think I’m paying for is the fabric for the traditional wedding and the bridesmaid robe

That's super nice that you are paying for their dresses and any alterations, not many do that!! As far as hair/make up I would just tell that it is optional and give them the price. I am not requiring my girls to have their makeup/hair done professionally! But, I gave them the option

I think this depends on you and what you want.


Since I paid for my BM shoes, jewelry, and I am doing their hair, I asked them to pay for thier makeup, nails, and toes. All of these things must be done the way I want them and yes, they still have to pay for it. I invited them all to brunch and told them I wanted to discuss wedding expectations and budget. That is where I laid everything out. Everyone was fine with it.

When I was a bridesmaid we bought our own dress and payed for our own hair and make up. My bridesmaids will be buying their own dress and paying for their hair. They're all very good at doing their make up so that will be optional but I will have a MUA available.

View Quoted Comment Wow wow..thanks everyone!! Optional pay it is 😉

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This exactly!

You pay if you're requiring them to have a certain look. If not, they are responsible

It's common for bridesmaids to pay for their own dress and alterations, but not hair and makeup if its something the bride is requiring. If they have the option of doing hair/makeup on their own but choose to get it done, then they pay.

One might say since you paid for the dresses it would be okay to have them pay for hair/makeup but I'm not sure whether your BM will consider it an "even trade" or not. If you wanted them to have their hair and makeup done but didn't want to be paying for everything yourself, you probably should have had them pay for their own dresses.

For my bridal party gifts for my girls, I'm getting them a getting-ready outfit and then I am gonna cover a part of their H&M instead of buying them earrings or something that they'll never wear again!

Wow, that's neat. I had this question last year. I asked the same, but it turns out the response I got was that unless I was expecting to have them look a specific way or achieve a certain look then yes I'd need to pay for them since I am the one having these expectations. But I don't then I don't pay. I am not expecting my girls to look as certain way, just nice. So I'm not expecting to pay for stuff.